England 5-0 Albania (1989) WCQ

On a night when the Wembley crowd pays tribute to those tragically killed at Hillsborough 11 days earlier, England enjoy a 5-0 win over Albania in a World Cup qualifier in April 1989. Early goals by Gary Lineker and Peter Beardsley set England on their way, before Beardsley scores again, Chris Waddle gets the fourth and Paul Gascoigne comes off the bench to score his first international goal (but not sparing him criticism from Bobby Robson in his post-match interview!). Albania have an excellent goal disallowed and their 17-year-old debutant goalkeeper Blendi Nallbani is the star of the night with several good saves, earning him praise from 39-year-old opposite number Peter Shilton who made his England debut before Nallbani was born!

[@andrewnbrown]

Terrible decision to disallow a great Albanian goal

[@Lord_Hillcrest]

Yeah it was

[@johnruby147]

It is when you consider other goals just like that that have stood . Liverpool v West Ham League Cup Final 1980 , Leeds V WBA 1ST Division match Elland Road 1972

[@Hoopspur]

Not a chance of that being disallowed at the other end.

[@Mind-your-own-beeswax]

No it wasn’t. Back then it was offside so rightly disallowed

[@tomekkarlinski2210]

człowieku nie znasz się w ogóle na przepisach to był bezpośredni strzał na bramkę jaki spalony

[@ianarn]

He had such a charisma about him did Bobby Robson! I only saw him briefly at Putney Bridge tube station but he was immaculate! I can see why he could lead people and why he never lost the dressing room.

[@kailashpatel1706]

He had a wonderful reputation and was a nice guy though i believe if he been more tactically flexible he could have taken England further in 1990 to the world cup..

[@moinakbhattacharya878]

Hoddle, Pearce, Waddle, Gascogne, Linekar, Beardesly, Shilton - that's quite a team !!

[@10fcull44]

Modern day footballers.. watch and learn!

[@ravindranpillai5155]

The Albanian goal should’ve stood…as the offside player was inactive in the making of the goal…bring VAR…😀

[@Skibbitypappappa]

Gazza looked like Grotbags in these days (for those who remember her)

[@diptastik5651]

You forget how good the England players were . Passion and joy of playing .

[@darrylfernandes4806]

Nope no English forward lacking in this

[@ManchesterBlackSheep]

After Euro 96 I don't think the players had this kind of love of playing for the country until Southgate came along.

[@karenrussell8589]

I was there as part of a school trip, we were standing. I was a huge Liverpool fan and this was so poignant. Never Forgotten #96 You'll Never Walk Alone

[@walllis]

Waddle, Beardsley, Rocastle, with Gascoigne coming off the bench, not to mention Barnes' absence from this game, what happened to England? Where have all the technically gifted English players gone? All I hear now is how the other nations are ahead of us with their ball retention due to their "technical ability" being more advanced, but what I can't understand is how we had these types of players 24 years ago and we didn't nurture, coach or even inspire more to come through.

[@simontuffen8243]

The number of foreign players in the top division in England has made no difference to the England team. The England team has performed no worse over the past 20 years than it did in the 70's, 80's and 90's. And we never achieved anything before 1966. For various reasons, we are poor at summer tournaments. Hopefully the recent progress in the the youth teams and senior team is a sign of a better future.

[@kailashpatel1706]

The 1980s England record in international world cup football was very good, Unbeaten in the 1982 World Cup, Q/F in '86' and S/F in '90'..

[@Project5am]

I think the lack of European club football at the time hurt a lot of these players from reaching there highest level. Always remember Aresnal 91 team being given a footballing lesson by Benfica.

[@MrMdonaghy7]

@@Project5am English clubs were banned from Europe for 5 years after the Heysel so the development of clubs and the national team suffered as a result

[@darrylfernandes4806]

No forward England did not have forward

[@jonie365]

The Wembley crowd sung YNWA before and after the game, what a tribute.

[@adamw2911]

It was this game and that goal from Gazza that really gave Bobby Robson a selection dilemma. The majority of us have a special place for Sir Bobby. However he was generally reluctant to give younger players a chance in competetive games. Gazza had to really shine before he got selected. Robson had his heart set on Steve McMahon and Bryan Robson as his centre midfielders. It was only when Robson limped out of the team and McMahon cocked up against Ireland that we found our best midfield.

[@kailashpatel1706]

Actually they never recovered from the loss of Robson in that Italia world cup..more generally they never solved the riddle of how to play Barnes and Waddle together (as inside forwards with freedom to roam across the attacking line)..

[@annandune]

You are absolutely right, Adam. Bobby Robson had to be forced into some of his best selections by circumstances. I've seen Kailash respond to a number of comments on some of these videos and he keeps going on about how England were not the same without Robson, saying here that England never recovered from losing him. This will be the second or third time I have pointed out to him that in 1986 we lost a game and then drew a game with Robson playing, and then we won the next two when he was out of the side, losing only to the eventual winners, Argentina. And in 1990 we drew two games with Robson playing, and then we won the next three once he was out of the side, again only losing to the eventual winners, West Germany, and this time on penalties. Robson did well in 1982, and he had some decent games after that, but the best England teams and performances did not feature Bryan Robson. The team was actually better without him.

[@adamw2911]

@@annandune Yep. Bryan Robson was our best midfielder of the decade. However, in 86 he was clearly carrying an injury yet we insisted on playing him. His replacement Peter Reid was far more effective in the middle of the park during that tournament. More mobile and not playing within himself. Robson went to Italia 90 fully fit but he was past his best. Once he broke down though, David Platt got his chance and never looked back. Bobby Robson was too loyal to the old guard....Graham Taylor was probably too quick to dispose of some of them though.

[@annandune]

@@adamw2911 I wouldn't say Robson was our best midfielder of the decade but he may well have been if he had been able to stay free of injury. However, I am not sure even a fit Robson would have galvanised the team for that 3-0 victory against Poland. They needed something different, something new, and that is what led to the improvement. I totally agree with your assessment of Bobby Robson and Graham Taylor. Bobby did need a nudge to get where he needed to go at times but Taylor could have done with keeping a little experience on board at times.

[@adamw2911]

@@annandune also.....Trevor Steven. Really good club player who never let England down either Wasn't first choice but came in v Poland and went about his business. Also....was only used sparingly in 1990 but was superb when he came on v Cameroon..

[@buliaoqing]

One of the best England national team ever, maybe only behind the team of 1966WC.

[@gordonferrar7782]

I was at this game remember the coaches and fans from all over the ountry pulling in and the feeling walking up Wembley way. also saw 2 Plymouth and Northmpton scrapping outside and then shaking hands with people walking by like it was an everyday thing one of the lads got a smashed face was refused entry until the coppers got involved and made him promise to behave and then they shook hands at one point my brother was 5 foot away not paying attention till my dad steered him out the way without my brother looking up from his program.

[@doctor_gibbo1392]

Fun fact, Peter Beardsley actually lived next door to one of the Albanian players in Newcastle but they didn't get on. If you look closely you can see him having a good stare.

[@user-ny6dy4kl7y]

Gratulacje dla Anglii wygrania grupy el. ITALIA ! 1990 rok Mundial Włochy Polska grała w tej grupie

[@tomekkarlinski2210]

Andrzej jej wcale nie wygrała tylko Szwecja

[@dolmanf]

proper trackie top that

[@brusselssprouts560]

The disallowed Albanian effort deserved to be a goal. A shame for the guy.

[@Dead-Ball-Situation]

I can't believe Albania's goal was disallowed. Was that the rule back then? Even if you're not interfering with play? Glad it changed. Gazza's hairstyle? haha. I do wonder whether this game was fixed, at times. The 2nd goal, the left back can't be arsed to chase Lineker. These players earned a pittance compared to English players so an incentive to throw a game like this would have been tempting. It certainly happens.

[@Mind-your-own-beeswax]

Yes that was the rule. Any player in an offside position whether interfering with play or not was ruled offside.

[@nikolasxray7]

Albania Demollari's goal shouldn't have been disallowed, clearly not an offside.

[@tomekkarlinski2210]

też się z tobą zgadzam

[@seanbonella]

week after Hillsborough.... for the 97

[@ffprogo7048]

Best gol ever 05:09

[@annandune]

It was a great goal and it is a shame it didn't stand but offside is offside.

[@1981ius]

Bravo England !

[@user-wg1yb4tm6u]

бобі робсон певно найбільш недооцінений тренер,в Англії після нього лише Террі Венейблс був на рівні,ямаю на увазі збірну

[@wolframmuller6183]

Gary Lineker was the Maradona of England.

[@darrylfernandes4806]

Rubbish England did not have forward those days..

[@Mind-your-own-beeswax]

No he never used his hand to score. Maradona was a cheating junkie.

[@tomekkarlinski2210]

​@Mind-your-own-beeswa zamknij pałę boli cię że Argentyna wyeliminowała was z mundialu bo była dużo lepsza. możesz czyścić buty Maradonie

[@ak11472]

The England had great football teams in the 80s, 90s and after, just was a little unlucky, first an unfair referee decision in the game against Argentina team, when the referee defended Maradona's " God's hand goal scored in the England goal, other times lose game in the penalty series, after the main and extra halves...

[@tomekkarlinski2210]

co ty gadasz gdyby nawet był remis to i tak byście dostali w dogrywce bo Argentyna była dużo lepszym zespołem.

[@davidhoughton6073]

Football could do with more Bobby Robsons

[@90warszawiak]

Where Gazza??

[@MrMdonaghy7]

Comes off the bench to score

[@georgejarman2987]

What has Gazza got in his hand (see after he scores the 5th goal)

[@samtwentytwo]

It's his black armband they were all wearing because of the Hillsborough disaster

[@SirStoneyOfBow]

The fog on the Tyne. Because it was all his.

[@pato2200]

Maybe a mars bar.

[@darrylfernandes4806]

In those days England had every talent to except Strikers and forwards.. Beardsley and Lineker were not that effective not even to those days Mark's..Hateley and Trevor Francis and Keegan were great forwards

[@Rubydoo691]

Only here just to wonder how Neil Webb became a postman ffs

[@Supreme_321]

Exactly, he's never been quick or fit enough to do the job once, never mind day in, day out!! 🤔🤣🤔🤣

[@ursamajor6546]

@@Supreme_321 Clever 😂👍👍

[@adamw2911]

@@Supreme_321 He actually wasn't a bad player for England. Had a habit of getting on the scoresheet too. I think he got a bad injury and never really recovered.

[@richardgere9365]

Answer: The Premier League.

What is the question?

[@meropealcyone]

To be fair, the Albanians were dazzled by Chris Waddle's gorgeous, flowing locks...

[@DannyBoy777777]

Albanian goal was good. A shame for that player.

[@Mind-your-own-beeswax]

No it wasn’t. It was correctly ruled offside as that’s how offside worked back then.

[@tomekkarlinski2210]

​@@Mind-your-own-beeswaxnaucz się przepisów dzbanie to był bezpośredni strzał na bramkę bieżnik w niczym nie przeszkadzał go powinien być uznany

[@martinburke362]

We've always been good at beating Mexican Road Sweapers

[@tomekkarlinski2210]

no tak zawsze mieliście farta możesz się wygrywali ze słabymi drużynami które nie mają ambicji grać bo zarabiają grosze

[@juanito924]

Llegué aquí gracias a Maldini.

[@anthonygarvey5118]

After a dire Euro 88 Bobby Robson was put under hideous pressure by the gutter press, he was treated appallingly. He stuck to his guns though and persevered with the old guard. Hoddle and Sansom were the major names to make way. Perhaps that was only Robson's mistake as Hoddle was one hundred times better than Neil Webb.

[@ianarn]

Anthony Garvey probably Webb just played in the position he was told unlike some of the ego players!

[@annandune]

@@ianarn I think Hoddle did play in some games in Italia 90 but I would have to check. You are right about Webb. I see him getting some jibes here but he was a very good player.

[@thewomble1509]

@@annandune Hoddle didn't make the Italia 90 squad.

[@annandune]

@@thewomble1509 Yes, you are right. I said I needed to check ( and then never got around to it ). I guess I could claim to be correct about doubting my assertion :)

[@thewomble1509]

@@annandune I needed to check too so we were both in the same boat! 👍

[@markdavidson9100]

Had it been Man Utd would've been given

[@wimbledan]

An injury free Bryan Robson England would've won the world cup.

[@darrylfernandes4806]

Nope but England could have reached Finals ..Ray Wilkins and Peter Ried and Kenny Samson injured .. but Eng did not have forward

[@wimbledan]

@@darrylfernandes4806 talking about 1990 world Cup.

[@darrylfernandes4806]

@@wimbledan doesn't matter England became strong only when Macmanann and Woodgate entered the arena.. they brought German experience to England..also Wise and Zola Chelsea Italian experience changed England style of play.. including Joe cole and backs Andy cole brought strong defence and counter attack.. otherwise you must see the Kevin Keegan 1976-1982 team that was really really strong

[@darrylfernandes4806]

Glenn hoddle was a great interim manager for England but at that time England game was outdated and needed changes.. cause you could see Romania and Sweden could also beat England.. Forget Brazil France Argentina Germany and Italy they were outstanding

[@wimbledan]

@@darrylfernandes4806 I really don't know where you're going with this. I'm talking about 1990 tournament only